NACO Associate and Sustaining Members enable NACO to enhance its continuing education programs for county officials across the state. Visit NACO's complete associate and sustaining membership list here.

Women's Equality Day

On August 26, 1920, the 19th amendment was signed, giving women the right to vote in the U.S.

The 19th amendment says that anyone can vote no matter their gender.

Education Foundation Memorial Program

A gift to NACO's Education Foundation ensures that the children of county officials and county employees are eligible to apply for scholarships to continue their education at Nebraska's higher learning institutions. Whatever their passion - history, art, music, science, education, sports - the NACO Education Foundation will provide them an opportunity to fund their education beyond the K-12 level. Memorial gifts to NACO's Education Foundation are tax exempt and a lasting legacy in honor of your loved one's commitment to educating the children of Nebraska's county officials and employees. For more information about how to make a memorial gift, please contact Jon Edwards / 402-434-5660 ext. 227.

As September approaches, I'm sure the budgeting process is first and foremost on your agenda. We, in Morrill County, are dealing with the loss of State Aid to our county. As I'm sure you heard from Lincoln this cut is not an unfunded mandate! It sure seems that way to us. Every year is similar when it comes to budgeting. The issues might be different but the revenue is always lacking.

During September the district meetings will be held. It is my goal to attend as many as possible.

This year's annual conference will be in Kearney at the Younes Conference Center, December 14-16. If you have not attended a conference there or toured this facility you are in for a treat. It is a VERY nice conference center with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. The amount of space and meeting rooms are second to none. Last year's conference was well attended and I would expect the 2011 conference to be the same. I would encourage your county to make plans now. If you were one of the few who did not attend last year's annual conference please join us in Kearney for what I hope is a conference with all 93 counties in attendance.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your President and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Steve Erdman

Legislation to Take Effect August 27

Legislation that does not have an emergency clause or specific effective date will take effect three calendar months after the after the adjournment of the session at which it passed. See Nebraska Const. Article III, section 27. In 2011, the effective date for a majority of the legislation is 12:01 a.m., August 27, 2011. For additional information on legislation passed during the 2011 legislative session, see the 2011 Nebraska Association of County Officials' Legislative Report or the Nebraska Legislature's website.

Governing bodies, such as county boards, must post a current copy of the Open Meetings Act (the Act) in their meeting rooms. Certain legislative changes to the Act took effect 5/27/2011. Additionally, other changes to the Act take effect 8/27/2011. See the discussion in the July 29 NACO E-line or earlier correspondence to each of the county clerks for more information about the changes to the Act.

NACO's 6th Annual Legislative Conference

NACO's 6th Annual Legislative Conference will be held in Kearney on October 13, 2011. If you haven't already done so, be sure to mark this date on your calendar because you won't want to miss this educational opportunity.

Over four hours of educational sessions and networking have been planned for this year's conference. You may register on-line at NACO's website. The registration fee for this conference is only $40.00. The registration fee includes breaks, a luncheon and all handout materials. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center in Kearney. The rate for lodging is $74.95 single/double. You may contact the Holiday Inn at (308) 237-5971 for lodging. Be sure to mention that you are with the NACO Legislative Conference to receive the contracted rate.

At this conference you will have input into establishing NACO's platform and legislative priorities. You will learn about the legislative process and how you can play an important role in the formation of laws that affect county government on a daily basis. Take a look at the agenda. You'll see that this conference is a very important part of each elected and appointed county official's continuing education, not to mention your opportunity to have input into the legislation that affects county government as a whole.

LPA Executive Sessions for Elected Officials

The Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR), Federal Highway Administration (FWHA), and Nebraska Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) have teamed up to sponsor "Executive Sessions for Nebraska Elected Officials," an opportunity for County Board Members, City Council Board Members, City and County Clerks, Responsible Charge Persons, Highway Superintendents, and City Street Superintendents to join representatives from NDOR and FWHA for presentations and Q&A sessions.

Participants will learn more about successfully managing road and street programs, the Federal Funds Purchase program, Federal emergency relief funding, and compliance with Federal rules and regulations. Each session is scheduled either before or after a 2011 NACO District Meeting.

For additional details and information on how to register, view the brochure.

9/11 National Moment of Remembrance and Day of Service and Remembrance Mini-Grants

September 11, 2011 will mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. To commemorate the occasion and pay tribute to those who were lost, United States Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey has sponsored and received unanimous support for his resolution, S.R. 237, "A National Moment of Remembrance at 1:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time on September 11, 2011." The senator is calling for counties, cities, and towns across America to sound sirens and ring bells at 1:00 p.m. EDT (12:00 p.m. CDT and 11:00 a.m. MDT). Additional information and details are listed below.

In addition, ServeNebraska, the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission, is offering community groups and organizations the opportunity to apply for mini-grants of up to $2,000 that further the spirit of 9/11 through community engagement. Additional details are available on the ServeNebraska homepage, www.serve.nebraska.gov. The 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance Mini-Grant Application deadline is August 31, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. CDT.

Please share this information with members of your community who may have an interest. In addition, we request that you share any media coverage of your 9/11 ceremonies with NACO. Thank you.

Jail as Part of County Government Training

Public safety doesn't happen in a vacuum. It requires collaboration and thoughtful, well-informed discussion about key issues: who or what a public safety program is for, how funds in the program will be used, and how local governments and elected officials can support public safety efforts. To discuss those issues when they involve the local jail requires dialogue among stakeholders, including the county commissioner/supervisor, sheriff, and jail administrator. The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) tackles such discussions during its Jail as Part of County Government training, which is now being offered in Nebraska.

NIC's free training is an opportunity for teams of three (consisting of the county commissioner/supervisor, sheriff, and jail administrator) to learn about key issues facing jails today. Topics such as staffing, jail administration, and unique funding needs will be covered. All of these lead to ensuring that jail operations are conducted in a safe, secure, humane, and legal manner.

The training will last three days and will be held at the University of Nebraska in Kearney this September 27-29, 2011. Takeaways from the training include:

·Educating participants about the role of the jail, its operations, and its resource needs

·Exploring the county's civil liability in operating a jail

·Helping county commissioners/supervisors, state sheriffs, and jail administrators better understand each other's responsibilities and challenges

·Building collaboration among jurisdictional team members in addressing jail issues.

For additional information, view the program description and agenda, or visit NIC online at www.nicic.gov.

Legal Line

Editor's Note: Legal Line is a feature that will periodically appear in E-Line. This edition has been prepared by Beth Ferrell, a member of the NACO legal staff. Legal Line is not intended to serve as legal advice. Rather, it is published to alert readers to court decisions and legal or advisory matters important to county government. For a specific opinion on how the information contained in this article or that which will be discussed in future issues relates to your county, consult your county attorney or your personal counsel.

This edition of Legal Line addresses two questions that have been asked by county officials recently that are of general interest.

Can a county provide funds to an economic development corporation?

Counties, along with cities and villages, are granted specific authority to contribute to a chamber of commerce or other commercial organization, a similar county or multi-county organization, or a local development corporation for designated purposes. Up to four-tenths of one percent of a county's taxable valuation may be used for "encouraging immigration, new industries, and investment and to conduct and carry on a publicity campaign. . . or exploiting and advertising the various agricultural, horticultural, manufacturing, commercial, and other resources, including utility services, of the city, village, or county." Neb.Rev.Stat. §13-315.

The constitutionality of §13-315 was challenged in Chase v. County of Douglas, 95 Neb. 838, 241 N.W.2d 334 (1976). The Nebraska Supreme Court held that the language set out above is constitutional but language authorizing expenditures, whether directly or through one of the listed organizations, for the purpose of acquiring real estate or options thereon for industrial development is unconstitutional.

In addition to the promotional activities conducted by the groups listed in §13-315, some state and federal loans, grants, and tax incentives may be available to start-ups, businesses of certain sizes or businesses in certain areas. The Department of Economic Development's website offers additional information on many programs.

What are the notice requirements for a special meeting of the county board?

In counties under a commissioner form of government, §23-154 sets out the requirements for providing notice of a special meeting. "The county clerk shall have the power to call special sessions when the interests of the county demand it, upon giving five days' notice of the time and object of calling the commissioners together, by posting up notices in three public places in the county, or by publication in a newspaper published therein."

In counties under a township form of government, §23-273 sets out the requirements for a special meeting. "Special meetings of the county board shall be held only when requested by at least one-third of the members of the board, which request shall be in writing, addressed to the clerk of the board, and specifying the time and object of such meeting. Upon receipt of such request, the clerk shall immediately notify in writing each member of the board of the time and object of such meeting, and shall cause notice of such meeting to be published in some newspaper of the county, if any shall be published therein; Provided, no business shall be transacted at any special meeting except such as is specified in the call."

Conference Matters

Silent Auction

Annual Conference numbers for the Friday General Session and luncheon have steadily decreased for several years now. Subsequently, NACO has decided to change the format for Friday somewhat. As stated in the July 15 issue of E-Line, instead of a formal luncheon, a silent auction and box luncheon will be held. We have decided to forego the General Session speaker on Friday morning so that attendees can get an earlier start for home, if they choose.

Soon NACO will be requesting that each county provide an item or items for the silent auction. NACO recommends that each county solicit donations from vendors in their respective county. It is hoped that all 93 Nebraska Counties will be represented.

Exhibitors & Vendors

County officials who know of vendors that may be interested in participating as an exhibitor in NACO's Annual Conference are asked to suggest they contact the NACO office for details about the conference.

Each year the popularity of NACO's exhibition area continues to increase. If you know of possible exhibitors, please suggest to them that they contact the NACO office for further information.

Shuttle Service

Officials attending the NACO Annual Conference are reminded that continuous shuttle bus service to and from the conference site and contracted hotels will be provided all three days of the conference. The finalized schedule for shuttle service will be published in the conference program.

Conference Lodging

Readers are encouraged to refer to the July 15 issue of E-Line for information regarding hotel accommodations for the conference. Contracted hotels, reservation phone numbers and reservation policies are listed in this issue of E-Line. NACO will send an e-mail to all county clerks prior to the date for making reservations. Please do not contact any of the contracted hotels prior to this date, as reservations will not be accepted.

Conference Site

The site for the annual conference will be the Younes Event Center. This is a new structure built on the premises of several hotels. The structure is made up entirely of meeting space. As a result, there is no "host hotel" for the conference. The event center will allow NACO to house many more exhibitors and the meeting space will be adequate.

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County Official of the Year

Fillmore County Assessor Joan Ackland, 2010 County Official of the Year

Do you know of an elected or appointed county official who you feel serves as the embodiment of a true dedicated public official? If so, nominate that individual for the annual County Official of the Year Award.

The Nebraska Association of County Officials will present its highest honor to one county official at the conclusion of the December 16th NACO Business Meeting.

The County Official of the Year Award was created as a means of honoring one individual each year for his or her leadership abilities, high standard of public service and outstanding contributions made to the medium of county government and that person's community.

The official nomination form can be found here or on NACO's website. To nominate someone you know, print the form, complete it and return it to the NACO office by November 11. Also, include any supplemental materials you feel would provide additional insight into why this person is deserving of the award. Supporting material may include testimonial letters from peers or other printed matter that highlight his or her record of service.

Each of the 2011 nominees will be introduced and recognized during the course of the conference. At the conclusion of the NACO Business Meeting, the announcement will be made as to who has been chosen by a special selection committee.

The 2011 recipient will join an elite list of county officials who have previously received this award and will receive a handsomely engraved plaque befitting of this prestigious honor.

Use Hazard Mitigation Funding Opportunities to Strengthen Your Community

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

1:00 PM - 3:15 PM CDT

The Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs provide funding for your eligible mitigation activities that reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damages. Join this webinar to learn how your county can use its Hazard Mitigation Plan to apply for funds to strengthen the community against future disasters. This is a NACo members only webinar. You must log in to the Member Center to register.

Integrating FEMA with your existing insurance can produce a stronger financial recovery in the event of a disaster. Join this webinar to find out how you can effectively coordinate FEMA funds and insurance to ensure each recovery project is funded to the fullest extent. See recovery strategies with respect to what's covered/eligible, how claims are valued and, ultimately, what funding you can expect to receive. This is a NACo members only webinar. You must log in to the Member Center to register.

Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships to Promote County Health

Thursday, September 22, 2011

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM CDT

In today's challenging economic climate, public-private community partnerships can be particularly effective in helping enhance county health and wellness initiatives. Participate in this webinar to learn about examples of cooperative opportunities with the private sector that can increase the capacity of your local health promotion efforts and how your county can capitalize on these types of collaborations. Register here.

For more information on these and other upcoming or previous webinars, visit the NACo Web-based Education page.